7 Reasons to pick your Polish Carefully!

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Every now and then....a girl needs to be pampered! Speaking of pampering, there are few things better than a fresh mani/pedi to keep your pointers on point. The foot massage during a pedicure is an amazing way to help your circulation, which in turn will make it a tad easier to squeeze into those ballet flats. With all these benefits, you want to make sure you are getting the safest products on the market during your visit to the local nail salon.

When it comes to Mani/Pedis, let’s start with the "big three" problem toxins. We all know the ones, always making a stink, getting people sick, and messing up our water supply. Those outdated ingredients for an unbreakable shine, also carry a potential for serious harm. When a woman inhales toxic fumes they move through the bloodstream via the lungs. Thankfully, it didn’t take long for nail polish companies to read the writing on the chipped nails. Products without hazard warnings were necessary.

So, what are the Big Three and how does a gal avoid them?

Number 1: Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde acts as a hardener in nail polish. It can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs when inhaled. Any person who steps into a busy nail salon knows the contraction in their lungs when they first enter. There’s no reason to wonder why nail technicians wear health masks. Dust and inhalants do a body harm and prolonged exposure is a known cancer risk. So, we can all say it together - no thanks!

Number 2: Toluene

Toluene helps nail polish glide smooth, no ridges. And like formaldehyde, breathing in toluene can irritate eyes, throat, and the lungs. Also, there’s a risk that high exposure to toluene can damage the nervous system and cause birth defects. This is a great reason to find a day spa with exceptional ventilation. Or better, a day spa with attendants who gently fan the fumes away.

Number 3: Dibutyl Phthalate

Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) is a common plasticizer that increases the flexibility and fluidity of a product. Again, studies link DBP to cancer and health concerns. But where this little monster attacks the most is the endocrine system. And no woman, pregnant or not, needs her endocrine system messed with. She needs all the hormonal stability she can get. Hormones can toy with us enough when left unchecked. Better to play safe than sorry on that gamble. Plus, studies found DBP increases the risk of diabetes, can cause nausea, and influence reproductive issues and potential birth defects.

To be honest, none of these intense chemicals in short exposure aren't going to kill anyone. Otherwise, nail salons would be out of business. The amazing news is that we have discovered new companies who care. What started out as the Big Three awakening has now moved up to the Big Seven and evenTen! Boom! Ethical companies eliminating toxins that don’t serve you or anyone else! Everybody wins, to which we would usually high-five (but our nails are wet!!)

Thankfully, we have found companies & brands that have your health as their number one priority. Ella + Mila polishes go on like butter and come in gorgeous colors, and Piggy Paint Polish Remover takes the polish off without the chemicals for every polish change!

Whew, that’s a mouthful. Notably, a few companies also list themselves as “animal-free”. While animal ingredients aren’t typical in nail polish, who doesn’t like to give themselves a little pat on the back in making sure all bases are covered?

So the next time you find yourself with your swollen feet being rubbed, scrubbed and loved you won’t have to worry that the polish you choose (or bring with you) will come back to haunt you.